I was recently hunting in the East Glacier, MT area on a self guided spot and stalk bear hunt with my 14 year old son and 67 year old father. We had a great time, though no bears were taken.

The weather conditions were great for hunting, but the areas that we wanted to hunt were not accessible due to the immense amount of snow on the ground. I wish I had brung my snowshoes.

Anyway, my father and son took one day off to relax and goof off in the park, so I went out hunting by myself. If anyone is familiar with the area, I was on Essex Creek trail.

I parked the Toyota at the first major snowdrift and hiked in on foot, about two miles I'd guess. It was easy going, even when I was on the snow packed road it supported me, unlike the snow pack we tried hiking the day before and we kept breaking through the 6' snow drifts.

I was hiking uphill with my pack and rifle shouldered when I suddenly spotted a bears rump on the crest of the hill, approximately 50-70 yards away. I must've taken my rifle off my shoulder at that moment because I don't remember putting it in my hands. Then I saw the bear's face, facing me and it was without a doubt a grizzly, with it's 'pumpkin' face and shoulder hump. My only thought was disappointment that it was a grizzly and not a black bear.

The bear never stopped when it turned to me and bolted at me in a dead run. My mind was flooded with many thoughts and the surreality of what was unfolding was unlike anything I can remember. Head down, the bear covered a lot of ground in mere seconds. I consciously flicked off the safety of my .338wm and had my rifle within inches and ready to mount to my shoulder. I was ready to defend myself, but I was going to make sure it had powder burns on it's forehead if it came to shooting. I can remember seeing the snow flying up from under it's paws like a rooster tail.

At a distance of about 20-25 paces I shouted as loud as I could, "HEY!" and the bear stopped dead in it's tracks. Head still down and so close that I could make out his eyeballs, we stared each other down for what seemed like hours, but was possibly 15-30 seconds.

Not having read the 'what to do in this situation manual for dummies', I thought that since the first shout stopped the charge, a second call might make it back down. Then again it might induce a second and final charge. Without much time to make a decision, I figured that I was ready for whatever would happen, and I belted out a 'GIT!' I can remember thinking that I wish it had come out a bit louder, as the stress must've caused my voice to crack slightly.

However, I could see the bear's demeanor change slightly and he started to look to the side and then would lock his eyes back on to mine. This went on for about twice as long as our initial staredown, perhaps longer. It reminded me of how a whitetail deer will do the same thing when they make you out in the woods. Slowly the bear turned broadside to me, but continued the back and forth glancing.

I stepped back two steps when he'd look away but then I figured it's best to just hold my ground. Slowly the bear turned around 180 degrees and was broadside the other way and finally just scampered away into the timber.

Unrelieved, I slowly backed down the trail until I figured it was safe to turn around and walk, but kept an eye behind me.

This was a valuable experience, one I would never wish on anyone, but grateful that it happened and turned out as well as it did. I learned that you should hold your ground. I always hunted with a S&B 6x42 Klasssik, but for a DG charge the FOV would have been a hindrance, I would consider a different scope for my next hunt. I was very happy with how well I handled myself, however I was noticeably shaken afterword. Bear spray would not have done me any good, the wind was in my face and I didn't have time to deal with something like spray because my first instinct was to grab my rifle.

I honestly think it would have been much easier to shoot the bear than to not shoot it, like I did. The bear was very close and demonstrating aggressive behavior, I wonder how many hunters would have just shot it.

Thanks for reading, this is a one in a million chance encounter with a grizzly bear, no cubs were in sight so I'm not sure what initiated the charge but it happened very fast and without warning. perhaps I just startled it or maybe it was eating on a winter kill, I don't know.

-RL

Im happy this worked out for you both!

Glad that worked out and the three generation picture was great, except for the rifle stuck in your boy's stomach!!

quote:

Originally posted by Topgun 30-06:
Glad that worked out and the three generation picture was great, except for the rifle stuck in your boy's stomach!!

We talked about that, guns were unloaded but still a bad way to hold a gun. I liked the pic regardless, we didn't take many.

Could have turned out a whole lot worse. Glad you're OK!

That would sure pucker a fella up. You showed great nerve. I've seen people panic and get stupid at a small fraction of that adventure.

Glad you came out ok and also glad you were well armed to take care of any outcome that came your way. Some never get it.
I used to be a staunch fixed power optics guy from the 6x to 10x range, with experience and quality of the variables produced today .
I relinquished to low power variables especially in dangerous game country. My scope is always set on the lowest level ready for a situation as described above. In other non dire instances, I always have time to crank up the power. Safe hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
Could have turned out a whole lot worse. Glad you're OK!

+1!

Neat happening if taken in context. You got to see first hand what Lewis& Clark got paid by President Jefferson to experience. Imagine Clark or Lewis enunciating the plan as being to "Get as close as we can, unload everything we got into him and them haul ass for the river to get away before he gets us!" Frigging brilliant and probably fun as an aside.

I saw something similar in the Brooks Range, watched a grizzly stalk and attack a sleeping caribou. Thrilling and humbling to witness "The Predator" in attack mode.

Well done, you did everything right and it worked out. We now have the USFW bioligist/grizz trapper and FWP bear management specialist put on a bear safety class at ALL of our hunter and bow ed. classes. The only thing that I would add is that when holding your ground, you DO NOT continue to stare directly at the bear, watch in your peripheral vision but do not challenge him by staring. Essentially do exactly what the bear did to you, watch, turn slightly away to show that you do not wish to fight then slowly back away, all while speaking softly. Additionally the trapper suggests that in the case like this where there is a charge he has conditioned himself to flip his hat off his head and into the path of the bear. It serves double duty to distract the bear and also put a load of human scent out there for him to think about. Good job waiting that extra moment and not firing, it saved you and the bear a LOT of grief!

SCARY!!!

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
Well done, you did everything right and it worked out. We now have the USFW bioligist/grizz trapper and FWP bear management specialist put on a bear safety class at ALL of our hunter and bow ed. classes. The only thing that I would add is that when holding your ground, you DO NOT continue to stare directly at the bear, watch in your peripheral vision but do not challenge him by staring. Essentially do exactly what the bear did to you, watch, turn slightly away to show that you do not wish to fight then slowly back away, all while speaking softly. Additionally the trapper suggests that in the case like this where there is a charge he has conditioned himself to flip his hat off his head and into the path of the bear. It serves double duty to distract the bear and also put a load of human scent out there for him to think about. Good job waiting that extra moment and not firing, it saved you and the bear a LOT of grief!

Great idea on bringing in experts to teach this in your hunter's ed classes. I honestly never expected a charge and didn't have a clue on what to do. Information and education are paramount because situations like this happen FAST. Actually saying they happen fast is an understatement, it just happens.

Another person informed me afterword that I shouldn't have looked directly in the bear's eyes. It makes sense, but would be very hard to do, IMHO. (especially at such close range). Even now I don't think I could do it, I was worried that if I moved a muscle he'd charge again.

I said that bear spray wouldn't have helped me, and I've never carried it, but in the future I will carry bear spray. If a person is going to carry bear spray then they need to train with it and it must be easily deployed. I do a lot of hiking and always carried a G20 but I'd rather not deal with the headaches of shooting an endangered animal. In the future I will carry both the G20 and the bear spray while hiking.

With the now known positive outcome, WHAT A RUSH! Having ones mortality in the balance of a pending fight is a very sobering, reflection inducing experience. One of the reasons I believe we are drawn to hunt beasts with claws and fangs. Your life is forever changed. Congratulations!

You had the best outcome you can expect when dealing with nature - a draw. Congratulations on a cool head and doing it all right this time while being prepared to defend yourself if it had been necessary.

Great story and I sure am glad it turned out this way. It is amazing how fast a bear can cover ground when they are charging!

God Bless, Louis

Great story. Glad you are safe. You did very well sir!

They claim pepper spray works, sometimes you don't even have to take it out it's holster.
Recently in Jasper National Park.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2...spray_n_5394736.html

Grizz

Rub - did you have to change your shorts?!

I once ran into a Grizz under similar circumstances. My bear bolted AWAY from me, however.

I was most impressed by how fast the bear was, all while running up a steep, steep hill.

If he'd of come for me...well, I don't know whether I'd have pulled the trigger?!?

Great story and a better memory! Happy for you!

friar

Bear with me here...
Africa PH comes to Merica to hunt Mt. game with
long time client.
Finds himself in a Griz charge.
After, claims the Griz is just as fast as an african lion.
John Hunter said the lion could cover 100 yds
from a standing start in 4 seconds!
Bears are FAST.
Walked into one at 12 yds in 07, He had me dead,
slung rifle and an empty chamber...
He let me live...terrifying after a lifetime of Grizzly experience.
Just reading between the lines, seems like he may of caught a bit of your scent and bumped into you on his way out.
Makes you feel alive doesn't it?

applaud for keeping cool & not shooting.

A friend of mine was in the BOB in air miles not to far from where you where hunting. A smaller grizzly pop out on the trail about 20 yards from him turned towards him and stopped.

He said trying to get his camera out while keeping his 10mm trained on the bear was to hard so no pictures were taken.

The bear turned back into the brush and went on its way.

I seen black bears in the BOB and seen grizzly tracks but never a grizzly.

interesting critter for sure but not to be taken for granted.

I have thought about doing a MT spring black bear hunt but just never pulled it off.

Been there for many other things just not spring bears.

Good story and it turned out well.

http://www.livingstonenterpris...iker-mill-creek-area

Please note sprayed THREE times and only got to safety by climbing up some rocks. Sow moved off, good thing as he was out of spray...

A few years ago a couple of hunters sprayed down a grizz in Tom Miner Basin, it ran off, it came back, evidently pissed off as hell. A few rounds from a 44 ended the discussion. There is also a documented case in Canada that didn't turn out so well for the humans involved.

I've run them off a couple of times by shouting at them. Yes, I carry bear spray, never had to use it and if I do it will be be with a firearm in the other hand. NEVER go into grizz country un-armed or just with bear spray. If the bear comes back in a really bad mood and your spray can is empty or nearly so, oh well...

I asked an Alaskan guide about bear spray one time and he kind of snorted and said they prefer salt on their food. He also commented the spray is a problem in wind which was most of the time where he guided. He preferred a short barreled 416.

Amazing story.

Wow! Great story! I would have had to change my shorts and socks after that encounter!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t...vm=bv.68445247,d.cGU

A bear attacked a 47-year-old man while he was bear hunting over the weekend in southwestern Montana, and seriously injuring him.

The Beaverhead County sheriff's office says the Stevensville man and his father were hunting in the Centennial Valley when he was attacked by a bear Sunday afternoon. It's unknown whether the animal was a black bear or a grizzly.

Sheriff Jay Hansen says the man was stabilized at the hospital in Dillon before being flown to a Seattle hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The man's name and information on his condition were not immediately released.

State Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens are investigating.